Rex Buck With Diarrhea

[TroyerGal]

Thank you, I very much appreciate it. I will be sure to wash my hands very thoroughly then, 'Pa'

 

[TroyerGal]

So if it IS Cocci, what would I treat him with? Surely not Corid like with my chickens and with cows, right?

 

[sourland]

I'm not certain how that would be. I was hoping @Bunnylady would contact you. Why not drop her a PM - oops, 'start a conversation' with her. How is he doing today ?

 

[Bunnylady]

Sour, I think you pretty much covered it. Rabbits kept on the ground are exposed to any diseases or parasites the wild rabbit population may have, and will probably get them. The frustrating thing about diarrhea in rabbits is that by the time you notice the symptoms, even if you identify the cause correctly and start the appropriate course of treatment, the animal dies anyway (often within 24 hours).

The usual treatment for cocci is usually Corid or Sulmet, or a veterinarian may have another drug they prefer. Treatment usually needs to be done for several days, then repeated a couple of weeks later.

Another possible cause of diarrhea in rabbits is a condition called enterotoxemia. As I understand it, it's basically an overgrowth of certain types of bacteria, fueled by too much carbohydrate in the diet. We don't usually think of grass as being high in carbohydrates, but it can be, particularly if it is experiencing rapid growth. Hay is usually less so (because the grass is typically in a more mature stage when cut). The treatment for this type of diarrhea is a high-fiber, low carb diet (which may mean just hay and water, nothing else), possibly antibiotics, and doses of beneficial bacteria (a product like Bene Bac). I have found plain, dry, rolled oats to be helpful at firming up simple cases of loose stools; offering a tablespoonful or so might be a good idea.

 

[TroyerGal]

This morning when I went out to feed the bunnies, I found him dead in his cage. Oh well..

 

[sourland]

Sorry.

 

[Bunnylady]

This morning when I went out to feed the bunnies, I found him dead in his cage. Oh well..

I'm sorry. As I said, that's frequently what happens, even with treatment. Sometimes the onset can be so fast, the owner is confronted by a dead rabbit before they even see symptoms.

 

[TroyerGal]

Thanks for your help though! Thankfully i wasn't too attached to him, but he was a lovely rabbit. Gold, black and white tri colored.

 

[TroyerGal]

So someone suggested I dose all the rest of the rabbits with Corid. What would be the dosage? I know it for chickens, its not the same, right?

 

[Bunnylady]

So someone suggested I dose all the rest of the rabbits with Corid. What would be the dosage? I know it for chickens, its not the same, right?

Are the rabbits young, or adults? Mature animals are usually resistant to cocci, it's mainly the young ones that develop problems.

Do you have Corid powder or liquid? The dose is different, depending on the formulation.